Dismissed¶44

Malaimanickam v. State of Tamil Nadu

Madras HC10 Apr 2026WP(MD)/10078/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Keywords: Keezhaselvanur Village; Kavalakulam/Kavaakulam; Kadaladi Taluk; Ramanathapuram; suspicious deaths; suicide concealment; FIR not registered; postmortem denial; natural-death certificates; VAO complicity allegation; caste-based suppression; Nadar community; representation dated 07.03.2026; police inaction; mandamus refused; public interest test; Article 226; W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026; Madras High Court Madurai Bench; dismissal with no costs.

What did the court decide?

FIRs are normally registered only on the basis of information received by the police regarding the commission of an offence; in the absence of any complaint with respect to the alleged suspicious deaths (even the family members having lodged no complaint), the question of registering an FIR does not arise. ¶43

Malaimanickam Vs State of Tamil Nadu — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 10.04.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

Malaimanickam

... Petitioner

vs.

1.State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Director General of Police, Head of Police Department, No.273, Kamarajar Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 005.

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2.State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Office of the Inspector General of Police, No. 1, Race Course Colony, New Natham Road, Madurai – 625 002.

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3.State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ramanathapuram Range, Ramanathapuram.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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4.State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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5.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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6.The Tahsildar, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

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7.Chithiraivel

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8.Rathinavel Pandian ... Respondents

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PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to take appropriate and necessary action as against the respondents 6 and 7 for having not dealt with the case of suicide and suspicious murder often taken place at Keezhaselvanur Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District as per law, based on the petitioner's representation dated 07.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Krishnasamy

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For Respondents : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran (R1 to R4) Government Advocate (Criminal Side) : Mr.A.Kannan (R5 & R6) Additional Government Pleader

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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ORDER

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

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The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the official respondents to take appropriate and necessary action against the private respondents for their alleged failure to deal, in accordance with law, with cases of suicide and suspicious deaths occurring at Keezhaselvanur Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, based on the petitioner’s representation dated 07.03.2026.

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2.The petitioner alleges that in Kavaakulam Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, within the jurisdiction of Keezhaselvanur Police Station, more than five young individuals belonging to the Nadar community have died under suspicious circumstances over the past two years, purportedly by suicide. It is contended that these deaths warranted proper legal investigation; however, the concerned Sub-Inspector failed to register FIRs or conduct postmortem examinations and instead recorded such deaths as natural, thereby concealing material facts.

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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3.The petitioner further cites specific instances, including the death of a young man on 27.07.2025, the death of a 21-year-old woman named Anusuya under suspicious circumstances, and the alleged suicide of a college student, Srimala, in December 2025, purportedly due to social and familial pressures. In all such cases, it is alleged that the police failed to follow due procedure and permitted immediate burial or cremation without proper inquiry.

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4.It is further alleged that influential persons, aided by castebased support, are suppressing these incidents, collecting money from affected families, and coercing settlements to prevent disclosure. Due to fear, intimidation, and threats of false cases, affected persons are unable to come forward. The petitioner also alleges complicity of local revenue officials and Village Administrative Officers in issuing false certificates declaring such deaths as natural.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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5.The petitioner submits that this practice has been ongoing for the past three years, resulting in the systematic concealment of suspicious deaths. Despite submitting representations to the respondents and higher authorities, including the representation dated 07.03.2026, no action has been taken. The respondents have allegedly failed to discharge their statutory duties and have remained passive. Aggrieved by such inaction, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking appropriate directions.

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6.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

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7.Upon perusal of the materials available on record, it is seen that the entire allegation appears to be omnibus in nature. The petitioner has pleaded as though the official respondents have failed to take action in registering FIRs despite several instances of suicide. We are of the view that such directions cannot be issued. Normally, an FIR is registered only on the basis of information received by the police regarding the commission of an 5/8

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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offence. In the absence of any complaint with respect to the alleged suspicious deaths, the question of registering an FIR does not arise. Even the family members have not lodged any complaint. As a matter of right, the Court cannot presume that the official respondents have violated the law. Hence, we do not find any element of public interest involved, and we are not inclined to entertain the Writ Petition.

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8.Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

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[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 10.04.2026

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NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps

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W.P(MD)No.10078 of 2026

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1.The Director General of Police, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, Head of Police Department, No.273, Kamarajar Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 005.

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2.The Inspector General of Police, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, South Zone, Office of the Inspector General of Police, No. 1, Race Course Colony, New Natham Road, Madurai – 625 002.

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3.The Deputy Inspector General Police, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, Ramanathapuram Range, Ramanathapuram.

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4.The Superintendent of Police, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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5.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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6.The Tahsildar, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis